Quality Of Life
Our team is here to support and guide you through this difficult time.
How to know when it's time...
We realize that making this decision is one of the hardest a pet owner will ever face. Because euthanasia is an emotional and painful choice, it can be comforting to know that you are not alone, and we are here to support you.
These videos from Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice explain how pet parents can know it’s time to euthanize their beloved pet:
What can I expect emotionally?
It helps to know that everyone deals with grief differently. In addition to your sorrow and loss, which can be devastating in themselves, you may face anger, denial and/or depression. Depression and guilt are natural parts of the grieving process, but if unchecked, can leave you powerless to cope with your feelings.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are steps for managing grief and loss:
Give yourself permission to feel
Don’t suppress your feelings of grief. Recognize them and let them run their normal course. Your emotional health will be better for it.
Journal about positive memories
Putting your feelings down on paper can be a cathartic experience, and help you cope. Focus on the happy and fun times you and your pet shared, such as the day he or she first came home, or a trip to the beach or the park. Remember the good things.
Talk to someone
While grieving is an intensely private experience, it often helps to open up to another person. It may be hard to put your feelings into words, but having a compassionate listener will make it a little easier.
Understand grief affects everyone
Grief knows no boundaries — realize that everyone in your household or family, including children and senior citizens — are also trying to cope with the loss. Everyone grieves differently, so be patient with them, the same way you want they to be patient with you.
Prepare for recurring grief
Many things can trigger a wave of grief and sadness — your pet’s gotcha day, or birthday, holidays, even something you see or hear on TV. Recognize the triggers and know how to cope with them.
Pet Loss & Grief Support
You are not alone
For many of us, the loss of a pet is the same as losing a close human family member. There is no correct way of displaying your feelings of loss – grief can be expressed in many different ways and the timeframe of the process can be different for everyone.
The response to grief is sometimes emotional and sometimes behavioral:
EMOTIONAL responses can include: denial, intense tearfulness, disorientation, insomnia, shock, irritability, loss of appetite, anger, guilt, isolation, depression, and rumination. These responses can last for days, weeks, or months. Some of us are emotional for a long time with every memory of our pet.
BEHAVIORAL responses can include: desire to sleep with our pet’s blanket, having difficulty removing his/her possessions/toys/bowls, a compulsion to memorialize your pet, and/or isolating ourselves.
It is very common to feel guilt if your pet was euthanized. Instead of remembering the loving memories we have of our pet, we often judge ourselves very harshly for the decision we made. In the case of guilt, we bring up regrets we may have had, such as… “I didn’t give my pet enough attention, I couldn’t afford the medical treatment, I could have done more for him/her.” You may feel your decision was premature or that you waited too long.
These ruminating thoughts are only distortions, and there is no logical basis for such condemnation or worthless self-torture. Know that life or death decisions, even when suffering is evident are not easily made. There’s no benefit in second guessing ruminations after the fact. Euthanasia is one of the most agonizing aspects of pet loss and can distract from your work of mourning. Let these thoughts go, and try to stay focused on the positive memories. The reality is that your compassionate courage on behalf of your beloved pet friend has mercifully ended their suffering. Extra time with your pet may have been at the expense of prolonged, painful suffering.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
1. Take good care of yourself. Do something special for yourself that makes you feel good.
2. Spend time with loved ones.
3. Try to eat healthy, get some exercise, and get appropriate sleep.
4. Join a Pet Loss Support Group.
5. Do some volunteer work or memorialize your pet by planting a tree in his honor.
6. Get a new pet. Getting a new pet is a personal decision. Some people feel it’s disrespectful to get another pet right away. While others need the soulful spirit of an animal around them all the time to feel balanced. It’s not disloyal to your departed pet to save the life of another soul at a shelter. Some think it’s a way to honor the lost pet even though we all agree that nothing and no other creature will ever take the place of the pet that was lost.
WHEN WILL I FEEL BETTER?
It is normal for grief to come and go. You may be feeling better and again be triggered by an external factor. Do not hold back your tears. Crying can be lethargic and help to release an overflow of sorrowful neurotransmitters. If grief persists for an extended period of time, it can turn into depression. If you are having great difficulty letting go of painful ruminations, you may want to see a professional therapist for some help. It takes some time for your logical mind to catch up with your broken heart.
“Those we love can never be more than a thought away… for as long as there’s a memory, they live in our heart and mind.”
PROFESSIONAL PET LOSS RESOURCES
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ASPCA Grief Counseling Hotline 877-474-3310
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National Suicide Prevention Life Line 800-273-8255 (24/7 free support)